**Date:** 4-22-67
**Source:** Unknown
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NAUGATUCK – Negotiations on a master contract between the United Rubber Workers (AFL-CIO) and Uniroyal, Inc. broke down shortly after midnight Thursday after management presented its final proposal, and pickets took up their positions.
Although the old master contract signed June 7, 1965 expired at midnight, union officials contacted the various locals across the country to withhold strike action until final notice.
The two groups reached a deadlock however when the final proposal was submitted at 12:30 a.m. and a strike was called.
Final word that the negotiations were deadlocked was followed by an orderly shutdown of machinery as the three Naugatuck locals, 308, 45 and 218, set up five picket points around the borough operation.
Each team is scheduled to picket in two-hour shifts throughout the night and starting today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until agreement is reached.
Affected by the strike are approximately 5,000 employes in Naugatuck. Across the country approximately 17,000 Uniroyal workers (AFL-CIO) are involved. It was not known at press time whether employees in the three other major rubber companies were also on strike against Uniroyal. The strike was called following a month of negotiations between labor and management groups.
No information was immediately available as to what obstacles stood in the way of a settlement or as to which of the issues have already been settled.
Picket teams from Local 45, largest of the three, are assigned to the Maple St. central warehouse office entrance. The other two locals are picketing one gate each at their respective plants.
AKRON , OHIO (UPI)—The United Rubber Workers struck the B. F. Goodrich Co. and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in 19 facilities.